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Other Aid Programs

There are a number of aid programs that are available to students with specific life situations or histories. While these programs apply to only a small number of students, they can be an important part of your financial aid package if you are eligible.

Miscellaneous New York State Awards

Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA) are awards for full-time study and part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or approved vocational training program in New York State.

NYS Regents Child of Veteran Awards are available to students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, either died, suffered a 40% or more disability, were classified as missing in action, or were a prisoner of war. The veteran must currently be a New York State resident or have been a New York State resident at the time of death.

The Military Service Recognition Scholarship (MSRS) provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of members of the armed forces of the United States or state organized militia who, at any time on or after Aug. 2, 1990, while New York State residents, died or became severely and permanently disabled while engaged in hostilities or training for hostilities.

Memorial Scholarships for Families of Deceased Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, Police Officers, Peace Officers and Emergency Medical Service Workers provide financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers*, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York.

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Grants Niagara County Employment and Training Department offers grants of up to $3,000 per eligible individual for costs associated with approved training programs. Grants are funded by the Workforce Investment Act. For an application or further information, please visit http://www.worksource1.com or leave a message at 716-278-8179. Preference will be given to Niagara County residents.

The NYS World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship guarantees access to a college education for the families and financial dependents of innocent victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States of America and the resulting rescue and recovery efforts.

Flight 587 Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of American Airlines Flight 587's crash in the Belle Harbor neighborhood of Queens, New York on the morning of November 12, 2001. In the spirit of the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship, this program will help the 266 families who lost loved ones cover the cost of attending college in New York State.

Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407 in Clarence, New York on February 12, 2009. This program will help families who lost loved ones cover the cost of attending college in New York State.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards are available, after successfully completing a term of service, to AmeriCorps members who are enrolled in the National Service Trust. You can use your education award to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans.

Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents attending in-state post-secondary institutions on a part-time basis pay for tuition. Part-Time TAP is a grant and does not have to be paid back. Part-Time TAP is not the same as Aid for Part-Time Study.

Veterans Educational Benefits

Veterans of the Armed Services are generally eligible for educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA pays some benefits directly to the veteran/student, and some to the school, depending upon which program the veteran/student participates in. The veteran/student must apply for benefits directly with the VA, and NCCC will certify the student's enrollment and academic progress to the VA. The VA makes monthly payments to the student or school as appropriate based upon that certification.Veterans with a service-connected disability and children/dependents of veterans who were disabled or killed in the line of duty may be eligible for even more generous benefits. For more information about VA educational benefits, please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GI BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), visit their website at: VA Educational Benefits Web page or visit NCCC's Veterans' and Military Educational Benefits page.

ROTC Scholarships

Apply for an ROTC scholarship through the ROTC Office at Niagara University.

Students must meet certain academic and medical standards, be interviewed by military officials, and be willing to serve up to four years of active duty as an officer after graduation. Entry into active duty after graduation may be deferred to obtain an advanced degree at the student's own expense.

The award may be for two or three years for a sophomore or a freshman, respectively. Recipients receive 80 percent of expenses, or $7,500, whichever is greater, for tuition and all required university fees; a flat-rate fee of $450 annually for textbooks and supplies; plus $100 per month for up to ten months of the academic year.

Reserve Forces scholarships are available to qualified sophomores. The benefits are the same as the regular ROTC scholarship; however, the obligation is changed to serve eight years with the Army Reserve or National Guard.

Contact the Department of Military Science at Niagara University, 716- 285-1212, ext. 360, for further information.

Vocational Rehabilitation

The NYS Office for Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) provides financial and other services to assist people with disabilities to achieve a higher education. For more information, including a list of local VESID offices, visit the New York State VESID website website.

Social Security Survivor's Benefits

Students who are eligible for survivor's benefits from Social Security may be entitled to maintain those benefits after age 18 by remaining enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education. Check with your local Social Security Office for information on eligibility and benefits.

Native American Aid—BIE Higher Education Grant Program

Scholarships may be made to full-time students who are members of tribes served by the bureau, have financial need, and are enrolled in an approved program. The student must file the FAFSA and a NYS TAP application. More information is available from your tribe's education office or the BIE Scholarship Opportunity Website

New York State Aid to Native Americans

NYS Aid to Native Americans is available to enrolled members of a New York State tribe and their children who are attending, or planning to attend, a college in New York State and are New York State residents. Awards are made to all eligible applicants. There is no qualifying examination. Awards are available for 2, 4 or 5-year programs.

Native American Aid—Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties, Inc.

Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties, Inc., provides direct and supportive services based on a student's needs and eligibility for the program. Services include classroom training, transportation, child care, books, and supplies and tuition payment (only for specialized curricula). There are no eligibility requirements for services related to education assessments, information/referral, financial aid, or academic follow-up. More information is available from: